The University of Cape Town (UCT) remains under siege by an unrepentant violent minority
Last Friday (23 September), after counselling a distraught father concerned about the future of his two sons at UCT, I attended a report-back to academics by Vice Chancellor Max Price on matters relating to the shutting down of UCT this week and (possibly) in the future. The meeting (the last of three held during the day) had to be protected from disruption by hired security. Nevertheless, it was invaded by students who were allowed to attend as observers.
The VC reported that talks with protesters were dichotomous in nature. Ninety percent, perhaps even more, students, e.g. those reflecting the views of the Student Representative Council (SRC), favour re-opening UCT to allow the vast majority of staff and students to get back to education and research while the Executive pursues discussions relating to protester grievances/demands.
A very small minority driven by an even tinier core of protesters (including people who have no association with UCT or interest in education) adamantly oppose re-opening. Their key immediate demand is that five students expelled (after deliberately delaying their hearing for months) for criminal actions including verbal and physical intimidation (of individuals, classes and university administration) and destruction of property and arson must, once again, be pardoned (in the spirit of restorative justice) for their transgressions.
They further demand that the UCT Executive agrees to participate in a ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ forum controlled by protester-appointed ‘mediators’. This is despite the five expellees resolutely refusing to apologize for their acts. So much for restorative justice and unfettered reconciliation.
The VC then presented some options for ‘action’: